More Frequent Visitors

I don't recall squirrels being frequent visitors to our property.  Sure, I would see them occasionally, but, this year, they seem to have taken up residence.  Fine by me. :)

I enjoyed their antics earlier this year as winter was coming to a close, but spring was taking way too much long to break free from winter's grasp.  They have offered me a few opportunities for photos, but often these occur through a pane of glass.  I was fortunate today, to get these shots after spotting this little guy from the path through my "would be woods".

These are probably the best shots I've ever gotten of squirrels.  I love the profile picture with him coming down the tree trunk (a black walnut tree just a bit over the property line in the field behind our place.

He let me take several shots of him in different poses, before looking right at me (in the last pic) as if to say, "what are you looking at?" then taking off, apparently tired of the game.

Chipmunk

After an exceptionally long winter--a delayed spring, it is so nice to see so many critters out and about.  I am seeing more squirrels this year than I think  I've seen in the past.  A chipmunk or two have always been around...and it was nice to spot one again.  I'm guessing, he spotted me taking pictures of him through the window.

Latest Visitor

A northern flicker has been showing up in our yard recently.  While sitting in my new favorite spot (along a path I cleared last weekend along the wooded slope), I spotted him again, this time flying into the neighbors tree to perch a while before going back to foraging on the ground.

I wish the shots were clearer, but I like the look of the lichen covered trees in the background, the foreground branches, and the fact that you can see both his red, patch, black patch, and yellow tail feathers.

House Hunting 2018

After showing up at the end of February, I spotted the male bluebird today perched upon their favorite nestbox.  He could have been in the yard countless times between then and now without me having noticed.  He was a welcome sight on this gloomy day. :)

Early Return!

Today, my second day participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, I strolled from the bay window over looking the back yard, in the the kitchen to view the side yard.  In the distance, I could see movement as the sun reflected from some light colored feathers.  I grabbed my camera.

After zooming in, it didn't take long for my excitement to grow.  I quickly realized that I was seeing a bluebird--then I realized there was a pair of them checking out the nestbox closest to the house.  We are fortunate enough to have had a pair of bluebirds here every year since I put up the first nestbox our first spring here (10 years ago).  This is not the box they usually choose, and it is too early to know if this is the one that they will use.  I am just thrilled to see them.

The funny thing was, it took me a couple of minutes to realize that I had to check the time and document them for the Great Back Yard Bird Count--maybe because they don't come to the feeders, it just didn't occur to me that these too are birds! ;)

Each year, I wonder how devastated I would be if they did not return and raise their young here.  Although we are experiencing several unusually warm days (40s and 50s--near 60 yesterday), we had an extended period of frigid weather earlier this year; I was afraid they wouldn't make it through.  So, today was an extremely pleasant surprise.  It has really felt like spring to me lately, today, even more so.  That said, the snow that is predicted for tonight has started falling outside the window beside my computer screen.

Bluebirds bring happiness...

 

Great Backyard Bird Count 2018

Yesterday and today, I, again, began tallying the variety and number of birds (of each species).  I enjoy this each year--I think it forces me to sit, observe, and enjoy the birds more.  Too often, I just glance out from time to time.

Bekka was "helping me out" by lying on my paper...and knocking my pen on the floor. :)

Squirrel Antics

This post is supposed to be about the Great Backyard Bird Count...but, instead, it is about squirrels. :)

This morning, while watching and tallying the birds that came to our yard, I witnessed activity up in the trees by the property line.  Squirrels.  Two of them.  Leaping from branch to branch. 

Here are some of the better photos that I was lucky enough to get from the second story window.

 

 

Oh...and then there was that one chipmunk. :)

It has really felt like spring for the past few days...temps in the 50s--even close to 60 one day.  Today, was more seasonable...with snow in the forecast tonight...but more warm weather starting tomorrow and into next week.  Hearing the birds and seeing these active mammals really has me longing for spring.